Recording machine with means to automatically disable a selected punch means



Oct. 11, 1966 E. ROBAK 3,277,757

RECORDING MACHINE WITH MEANS TO AUTOMATICALLY DISABLE A SELECTED PUNCH MEANS Filed Sept. 14, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR. EDWARD PUB/4k Oct. 11, 1966 Flled Sept 14 1965 E. ROBAK 3,277,757 RECORDING MACHINE WITH MEANS TO AUTOMATICALLY DISABLE A SELECTED PUNCH MEANS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. [QM/94H? POBHK BY Fl/Zl V/DECP/lTfO/KFAFAEK, [[5 4* 075047 Oct. 11, 1966 E. ROBAK 3,277,757

RECORDING MACHINE WITH MEANS TO AUTOMATICALLY DISABLE A SELECTED PUNCH MEANS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 14, 1965 MMN INVENTOR. EDWARD FOB/9K Oct. 11, 1966 E. ROBAK 3,277,757

RECORDING MACHINE WITH MEANS TO AUTOMATICALLY DISABLE A SELECTED PUNCH MEANS Filed Sept. 14, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 11, 1966 E. ROBAK 3,277,757

RECORDING MACHINE WITH MEANS TO AUTOMATICALLY DISABLE A SELECTED PUNCH MEANS Filed Sept. 14, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. E D WA PD FOB/4K ATTOF/VEYS Oct. 11, 1966 E. ROBAK 3,277,757

RECORDING MACHINE WITH MEANS TO AUTOMATICALLY DISABLE A SELECTED PUNCH MEANS Filed Sept. 14, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

ED WA/P D POBAK United States Patent 3,277,757 RECORDING MACHINE WITH MEANS T0 AUTO- MATICALLY DISABLE A SELECTED PUNCH MEANS Edward Robak, 1728 W. Park Lane, Santa Ana, Calif. Filed Sept. 14, 1965, Ser. No. 487,260 26 Claims. (Cl. 83-240) The present application is an improvement on copending application Serial No. 328,842, filed December 9, 1963, now Patent No. 3,220,292 issued November 30, 1965.

The present invention relates to a recording machine of the type in which a master chart is visible to the operator of the machine and in which the operator, upon reading the chart and making selections, can manipulate the machine to impress his selections on an indicia receiver, such as a card. This receiver may then be removed from the recording machine and subjected to a reading machine.

In the present invention, various elements are shifted relative to one another upon the manipulation of the mechanism by the operator during the selection of items he desires to be registered or recorded. In the present illustration, a selector is shifted relative to a chart, which chart has the selectable indicia thereon. Then after making the selection and upon further manipulation of the mechanism, the machine records the selection on an indicia receiver such as a card. In the specific embodiment illustrated, the recording is accomplished by perforating the card.

Also, to provide for an increased number of selectable items, the chart can be shifted to various stations and this shifting effects a relative movement or relative movements of a carriage for the receiver upon which the recording is to be effected. In the embodiment illustrated,.the chart holder is in the form of a drum or cylinder with a removal chart thereon conforming to the cylindrical shape of the drum. The chart is provided with a plurality of columns which extend parallelly of the axis of the drum and each column is provided with transversely extending spaced items from which selections are to be made.

The rotation of the drum from column to column, i.e., from station to station, will cause the shifting of the receiver carriage from station to station. In the embodiment illustrated, the drum is provided with fifteen stations. Fifteen stations were selected for illustrating purpose only. A complete cycle of the drum is effected when moved sequentially from station to station for fifteen stations. These fifteen sequential movements of the drum will effect a complete cycle of movement of the receiver carriage. The cycle of the receiver or car carriage will be, for example, in the order of shifting transversely to its stations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 as the chart is moved in the order of stations 1 to 8 inclusive. Upon the eighth movement of the chart, the recording on the card is shifted longitudinally for one space, in, for example, a card having eight laterally extending spaces. In the embodiment illustrated, this shifting is effected by rendering one of two punches, which are disposed longitudinally of one another along the card, inoperative and rendering the other punch operative. Then after the chart is moved from its station 9 to station 15, the shifting is reversed, i.e., in this embodiment, the said one punch is rendered eifective and the other is rendered ineffective.

It will be understood that the operator can shift the recorder to any one of, for example, twenty transverse positions for each column on the chart. Then as the example given, three hundred selections can be made from the chart and the same number of recordings can be effected on the receiver or card.

The present invention also includes an interlock for the handle, which is used for manipulating the chart, and which interlock is brought into operation once the handle is started to move the chart.

Gates are also provided for movement to positions for preventing the operation of the recorder means (the punches) when the chart is being moved and until the indicia receiver (card) is in proper position in the carriage for the indicia receiver.

The mechanism also includes a set of indicators, each of which is actuated to be brought into the view of the operator, indicating that a selection had been made in a particular column. These indicators are retracted from the view of the operator upon moving of the chart to the next column, i.e., the next station.

Further features and the advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention, showing the card being inserted into the recording machine;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view looking in the direction of arrow.2 of FIG. 1, but on a larger scale, the cover of the machine being removed and part of the left side of the lower pan being broken away;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view looking in the direction of arrow 3 of FIG. 1, the cover being removed and parts being broken away to show other parts;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the cams which are mounted on the side of the chart drum, showing the card carriage and the punch selector and showing the mechanism for shifting the card carriage and the punch selector;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of that section of the card which is to be punched and the lower section of that part of the card which latter section is used for manipulating the card for inserting and removing the assembled card with respect to the machine;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the mechanism for punching the card, and the interlocks for preventing the punching mechanism from operating except when certain conditions for punching are met;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view looking in the direction of arrow 7-7 of FIG. 3, parts of the view being in sections;

(FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of the bottom of the selector carriage showing the ball and detent for frictionally holding the selector carriage in adjusted position;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic View of the front side of the chart drum showing the handle for manipulating the same, in the position in which it has been moved counterclockwise whereby the bell crank lever for advancing the drum is in engagement with one of the pins utilized for advancing the drum;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but showing the bell crank lever in the position as its pin actuating end is moved counterclockwise to pass beyond the next drum advancing pin when the handle for manipulating the drum is retracted;

FIG. 11 is a View similar to FIG. 9 but showing the mechanism for actuating the visible indicator;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view showing the interlock for preventing the actuation of the punching lever except when certain conditions for punching are met;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 9, but showing mechanism which is actuated by the bell crank lever, for limiting the movement of the drum to one station by the actuation of the manually actuated drum advancing lever, and showing mechanism for actuating the interlock for the punch actuating mechanism to move movement, the other of the two punches is effective.

such interlock to render the punch actuating mechanism operable;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view of an interlock for preventing return movement of the manually actuated drum advancing lever, the view showing the interlock in position for the free return of the said lever;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 but showing the interlock in position for preventing the return of the manually actuated drum advancing lever;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view looking in the direction of arrow 16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, the section being taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, the section being taken along line 18--18 of FIG. 1, but on a larger scale; and

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 19- 19 of FIG. 3.

Referring generally to the drawings, the recording machine 20 is housed in a casing including a substantially rectangular pan 22, a rectangular shaped frame 23 which is supported by the pan, and a removable cover 24. A sub frame 26 is supported in the frame 23.

The frame 26 carries a rotatable chart support 28 in the form of a drum which can be rotated counterclockwise, as viewed in FIGS. 1, 4, 9, I0, 11, 13, 14 and 18 and clockwise as viewed in 3, by a manually actuated drum advancing lever 30. The lever is provided with a handle 32. The frame also supports a selector in the form of a carriage 36 which is movable parallelly with respect to the axis of the drum 28. The carriage is provided with a selector in the form of a pointer 38, the end of which is registrable within indicia on the cylindrical chart 40, the latter being disposed about the drum.

The carriage 36 also carries a recorder in the form of two punches 41 and 42 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) which are received by dies 43 and 44, respectively. The carriage is moved parallelly of the axis of the drum and chart by a handle 46. The handle is pivotally supported on the carriage, and, when pressed downwardly, it actuates either one or the other of the punches, depending on the factors to be explained later.

The frame 26 also supports a card carriage 48 for the card 50, which is to be marked, as herein disclosed by the punches 411 and 42. This carriage 48 is shifted, for example, first to the right as viewed in FIG. 1 and to the left as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4, during a phase of the rotation of the drum, i.e., as the drum moves throughout a phase of movements thereof, i.e., throughout predetermined station to station movements.

At this time one of the punches is effective. Then upon completion of that phase of movement, the carriage 48 is shifted to the left through another phase of station to station movements of the drum to complete a cycle of movement of the drum. During this latter phase of The same lever 30 operates through cam actuated mechanism for shifting the carriage 48 and for rendering one of the punches effective and the other ineffective during one phase of movement of the drum and rendering the said one punch ineffective and said other punch effective during the other phase of movement of the drum.

In operating the machine, the card 50 to be marked is inserted between guides 52 and 54 on the frame 26 and through a slot 56 in the cover 24 and into the carriage 48. The operator then rotates the drum, by the handle 32, to a desired station. The chart 40 may be in the form of an election ballot and the voter moves the drum to the desired, column on the chart and the desired position of carriage 36, by the handle 46. Then upon pressing downwardly on the handle 46, one of the punches perforates the card 50. An indicator 60 will be brought into view at the conclusion of each punching operation.

After a predetermined number of shiftings of the chart from station to station, resulting also in a commensurate shifting of the chart carriage 36 from station to station to the right, for example, after seven shiftings on a chart ha'ving fifteen columns, continued shifting of the chart causes mechanism to be brought into play to cause the chart carriage to be moved in commensurate station to station movement to the left, and, then upon the eighth shifting of the chart, mechanism is brought into play to render that punch which had been effective during the aforementioned eight shiftings while the other punch was ineffective, and the said other punch effective. Then upon the said shifting of the chart carriage to the left, after seven shiftings, the cycle of the shifting chart and the cycle of shifting of the chart carriage is completed, and then the said other punch is rendered ineffective and the said one punch is rendered effective.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the frame 26 includes (see FIG. 3) a front frame member 62 and a rear frame member 64, both of which are channel shaped and are suitably secured to the frame 26 by screws 65. The frame 26 also includes a sheet metal wall 67, secured to the front frame member 62, and a sheet metal wall 69, secured to rear frame member 64. Frame 26 includes connecting frame members 70 and 71, 72 and 73. These connecting members are suitably fastened to the sheet metal walls 67 and 6-9 as by screws or bolts. Frame member 70 is disposed adjacent the upper right end of the frame; frame member 71 is interposed intermediate the right and left end of the frame 26; it supports the carriage 36; and frame member 73 is disposed at the lower and right ends of the frame. Frame member 72 is disposed to the right of frame member 71.

The frame 23 is hinged with pan 22 as shown in FIG. 1. The cover 24 is provided with an elongated forwardly and rearwardly extending opening, directly above the chart 40, which opening is covered by a window 75. The carriage 36 is provided with an upwardly extending portion 76, to which the handle 46 is attached, which portion extends through a slot 78 in the cover 24 whereby the handle is accessible from above the cover for moving the carriage forwardly and rearwardly by the handle 46 and the handle can be depressed.

The chart advancing lever 30 is suitably fastened to a shaft 79 which shaft is suitably journalled on bearings (not shown) on the front and rear frame members 62 and 64. The drum 28 is fixed to this shaft 79. The lever 30 extends upwardly through a slot 80 in the cover 24 so that the handle 32 can be manipulated from about the cover. A coil spring 88 is attached to the lever 30 and to a stud 84 on the sheet metal wall 67 and normally urges the lever 30 to the left as viewed in FIG. 3 and to the right as viewed in FIG. 1. A lever 83 (see FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 13) is pivotally mounted on a pin 85 carried by the lever 30. The right end 87 of the lever 83 extends downwardly and then forwardly as at 90 whereby the forward portion is adapted to engage the right side (as viewed in FIG. 9) of the lever 30. It is urged toward the lever 30 by a leaf spring 91 which is fixed to lever 30. The upper left end of lever 83 is provided with a pawl 86 which cooperates with a series of pins 92, carried on the front side of the drum 28 for advancing the drum. It will thus be seen that as the handle 32 of lever 30' is moved to the left, as viewed in FIG. 9, or to the right as viewed in FIG. 3, the pawl 86 will engage a pin 92 and move the drum counterclockwise from one station to the next adjacent station.

The lever 30 and the pawl 86 are shown in the position in which the drum is being advanced, clockwise movement of the lever 83 being prevented by engagement of the forwardly extending portion 90 with the right side of the lever 30, as seen in FIG. 10, upon return movement of lever 30, the pawl 86 and the lever 83 will be moved counterclockwise due to the engagement of the pawl with a pin 92. The spring 91, however will return the lever 83 to the position shown in FIG. 9 immediately after the pawl moves to the right of the aforementioned pin 92.

A detent 97 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 98 (see FIG. 13) is normally urged counterclockwise against a pin 99 by a spring 100 to abutting relationship with right side of a pin 92 to prevent clockwise movement to be imparted to the drum when the drum would be tended to so move due to the frictional engagement of a pin 92 with the pawl 86 when the lever is being moved in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. The detent 97 is cammed upwardly by a pin 92 as the drum is being moved counterclockwise by lever 30 but it is returned immediately to the position shown in FIG. 10 after the pin moves beyond the detent. The detent 97 and pin 99 are secured to the rear side of the sheet metal wall 67.

A lever 101 is pivotally mounted on a pin 102 on the rear side of sheet metal wall 67. This lever is biased clockwise by a spring 103. The free end of the lever is adapted to engage the upper left side of a pin 92 on the drum when the lever 30 is returned to its home position, to prevent clockwise movement of the drum when the lever is returned to its home position. However, the free end of the lever 101 is moved out of the path of movement of the pin 92 when the lever 30 is moved to advance the drum, the lever 101 being cammed upwardly by the pawl 86. At this time, the detent is effected to prevent clockwise movement of the drum 28.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 12, 14, and 16, wherein mechanism is shown for insuring completion of movement of lever 30 and the drum 28 from one station of the drum to the next adjacent station, once the movement of lever 30 to the left, i.e., counterclockwise, is started. A plate 105 is secured to the rear side of the sheet metal wall 67. It extends substantially horizontally. A plate 107 is pivotally secured to plate 105 by a pin 109. Plate 107 is biased rearwardly by a spring 111, but is prevented from movement rearwardly when the lever 30 is in its right of home position, by a knob 113 which is as shown in FIG. 14, with the rear end thereof, being in abutting relationship with the forward end of a drum pin 92 when the lever 30 is in home position. However, when the drum is rotated by the lever 30, the pin moves out of engagement with the knob so that the spring 111 moves the plate 107 and knob 113 rearwardly to the position shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

As seen in FIG. 15, the plate 107 is provided with a shoulder 117. When a pin 92 releases the knob 113 for rearward movement of the plate 107, the shoulder 117 on the plate, lying in the path of movement of the lever to the right, prevents return of the lever to its home position.

Consequently, when movement of the lever 30, to move the drum and chart from one station to the next, is started, such movement must be completed. While the movement is being completed the oncoming pin 92 will engage a camming surface 119 on the knob 113 to cam the knob and plate 107 rearwardly to return the plate 107 to the position shown in FIG. 14, and when the movement is completed, that oncoming pin will be in the position shown in FIG. 14 to hold the plate in that position whereby the lever 30 can return to its home position.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 7, it will be seen in FIG. 3 that the rearwardly extending frame member 70 is channel shaped to form a track 121 for a roller 123 and that frame member 71 is in the form of a shaft. This track and the shaft are disposed parallelly of the axis of the drum 28 for supporting the carriage 36 for forward and rearward movement. The carriage 36 is provided with an elongated bearing section 127 extending longitudinally of shaft or frame member 71 and carries bearing 129 for shaft 125. Carriage 36 also includes a section 131 which extends laterally to the right of section 127 (to the left as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 7). This laterally extending section includes a lower portion 133, an upper portion 135, an end portion 137, which connects portions 133 and 135 with one another, and a tail portion 139. Roller 123 is rotatably carried by the end portion 137.

Lower portion 133 of the carriage 36 carries the element 141 forming the dies 43 and 44. Element 141 is interposed between section 127 and end portion 137. A bottle 143 is connected with the outlet of the dies by a tube 145 for catching the clips cut out of the card 50. A punch guide 147 depends from upper portion 135 of the carriage 36 and carries the punches 41 and 42 in aligned relationship with the dies 43 and 44. A lever 149 is pivotally mounted by a pin 151 on the tail portion 139 of the carriage 36. This lever extends to the left (to the right as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 7) and above the carriage 36. The punches 41 and 42 depend from a pin 153 attached to the lever 149. The upper ends of the punches are provided with vertically extending slots 155. The lever 149, carrying the punches 41 and 42, is moved downwardly through a pin 157 carried by the lever.

A vertically extending tube section 159 is formed on the carriage 36; it extends upwardly through an opening 161 in the lever 149 and is provided with a vertically extending elongated slot 163 for receiving the lever actuating pin 157. A rod 165 is mounted for reciprocation in the tube section 159. Rod 165 is provided with a vertically extending elongated slot 167 which also receives the pin 157 and also forms a downwardly facing shoulder 169 which upon depressing the rod, engages pin 157 for moving the lever 149 and the punches 41 and 42 downwardly.

A bracket 171 is suitably fixed to the upper end of tube 159 and it carries an upwardly extending link 173 by pivot 175. Handle 46 is pivoted, by pin 177 to the upper end of link 173. Clockwise movement, as viewed in FIG. 7, of the lever type handle 46, is limited by a tail 179 which is adapted to engage the right end of link 173. An arm 181 is fixed to the top of rod 165 by a screw 183, and this arm is pivotally connected by a pin 185 to the lever type handle 46. A coil spring 187 is interposed between the top of tube 159 and the bottom of arm 181 and normally yieldingly urges handle 46 and rod 165 upwardly.

When the left end (as viewed in FIG. 7) of handle 46 is depressed, rod 165 is depressed and the shoulder 169 thereon engages the pin 157 on punch carrying lever 149 to move the punches 41 and 42 downwardly into the dies 43 and 44. A stern 189 is fixed to and extends downwardly from the lever 149; it extends within a vertically extending hole 191 in the carriage 36, said hole being disposed in the section 127. Stem 189 is provided with an inverted section 193 in the form of a frustum of a cone which is adapted to be engaged by two hardened balls 195. These balls are forced toward one another by horizontally extending springs 197 which are disposed in aligned holes 199 in the section 127 of the carriage 36. The spring pressed balls, engaging the cone section 193 of the stem, yieldingly resist downward movement of the punch carrying lever 149. However, when the spring pressure is overcome, the lever 149 is moved by a snap action downwardly to impact snap action to the punches. After the punching operation is effected and manual pressure released at handle 46, the spring 187 returns the lever 149 and the punches to the position shown in FIG. 7.

A sheet metal element 201 is suitably attached to the front 62 and rear 64 frame members. This element includes a horizontally extending section 203 which lies above frame member 72, a vertically extending section 205 that lies to the right of frame member 72 (to the left as shown in FIG. 7) and a horizontally extending saw tooth section 207 disposed at the bottom of section 205. A harder ball 209 is carried in an upwardly extending socket in the bottom of carriage 36; it is yieldingly urged downwardly by a coil spring (not shown) and is disposed to enter the serrations of the saw toothed section 207 for yieldingly retaining the carriage in a station to which it has been moved but the ball will yield upwardly when horizontal forward or rearward movement is imparted to the carriage by the lever 149.

An interlock is provided for preventing downward punching movement to be imparted to the card punching handle 46 while the lever 30 is being moved to the right or left. This interlock comprises a strip of sheet metal forming a gate 213 which is superimposed (see FIG. 17) on and disposed longitudinally of the upper horizontal section 203 of element 201 and is slidable forwardly and rearwardly relative to element 201. It is provided with longitudinally extending notches 215 which receive pins 217, the latter being fastened to the section 203. The section 203 and the gate 213 are each provided with a series of openings in the form of notches 219 and 221, respectively. When the selector carriage 36 is at a station, notches 221 in the gate 213 are aligned with notches 219 in the section 203, carried by the carriage whereby a downwardly extending pin 223, which is carried by the free end of punch actuating lever 149, can pass through the aligned notches 221 and 219. However, if the notches are not aligned, i.e., while the lever 30 is being shifted, notches 221 in gate 213 are not in alignment with the pin 217, and if an attempt is made to actuate the punches, the pin 223 will engage one of the tines or prongs 225 of gate 213 and prevent punching movement to be imparted to the handle 46.

An end of a spring 227 is fastened to the top section 203 of element 201 and the opposite end of the spring bears against an end of gate 213 to urge the strip notches 221 out of alignment with notches 219 in section 203. The lever 30 is shown in its home position in FIG. 12 in which position it is in engagement with the front tine 229 of a lever 231. This lever is pivotally mounted on a pin 233 which latter is suitably attached to sheet metal 67. When the lever 30 is moved to the left, as viewed in FIG. 12 and FIG. 1, to shift the drum chart, the spring 227 effects non-alignment of notches 221 and 219. The lever 30, when in its extreme left position, lies to the left of lever 231 and the rear prong 235 being disposed at an angle extending to the left and rearwardly, when engaged by the returning lever 30 causes the lever 231 and the gate 213 to be moved rearwardly whereby the notches 221 in gate 213 are realigned with the notches in element 201 whereby the pin 223 is free to move downwardly.

A track 239 is fixed to the rear side of sheet metal wall 67; it includes a lower, horizontally extending track section 241 and a parallel upper section 243. The front of the rear sheet metal wall 69 carries two blocks 245 which in turn carry a horizontally extending shaft 247 which is arranged parallelly with the track sections 241 and 243. The rear of the card carriage 48 is drilled to receive the shaft 247 and the front of that carriage carries rollers 249 which ride upon the track section 241. The carriage 48 is disposed between the frame sections 133 and 135 of the carriage 36 at such position that when the card 50 is in position on card carriage 48, the card will be disposed between the top of die element 141 and the bottom of punch guide 147 whereby the card can be punched by either punch 41 or 42.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the front side of the drum 28 (rear as viewed in FIG. 1) is provided with a concentrically mounted plate 253 having two endless grooves 216 and 228 with outer sides thereof. Referring now to the diagrammatic view in FIG. 4, a cam follower 262 in the form of a pin extends into groove 216. The follower 262 is in its extreme left position (right as viewed in FIG. 1). As viewed in FIG. 4, when the drum 28 is advanced from station to station by lever 30 clockwise, the cam follower will be advanced, station to station, for eight stations to the right and then, station to station, for seven stations to the left. A rod 164 is connected with the cam follower 162 and the card carriage 48 whereby on one complete cycle of movement of the drum 28, the carriage 48 will move through one phase in one direction and the reverse phase in the opposite direction.

Still referring to the diagrammatic view, FIG. 4, it will be seen that a pin 132 extends into groove 228 and forms a cam follower. Groove 228 includes two phase sections 192 and 194. While in section 192, as shown, the cam follower 132 is in its extreme right position (left as viewed in FIG. 1). Upon rotation of the drum, clockwise, the follower will move from the groove section 192 to section 194. Such movement will cause the follower 132 to be shifted to the left, as viewed in FIG. 4. Then when the drum has rotated one hundred and eighty degrees, the follower 132 will be shifted to the right.

A gate 257 is slidably carried by punch actuating lever 149 and is movable downwardly and upwardly with said lever. This gat is movable longitudinally in one direction by a spring 259, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4, and is moved in the opposite direction by a Bowden wire contained in a sheath 261. The wire is pushed by a plate 263 which plate is pivotally mounted on a pin 265 carried by the frame. The plate 263 is moved by cam follower 132 through rod 134. The cam follower lies in groove 194. The gate 257 is provided with two openings 266 and 267. When the gate is in the position shown in FIG. 4, the punch 41 is not moved downwardly when the punch actuating lever 149 and gate are moved downwardly, because the punch is aligned with opening 266, but upon downward movement of lever 149 and the gate, a gate section 268 will move punch 42 downwardly through the card and into die 44. When the gate is moved to the left, punch 41 will be rendered effective and punch 42 will be rendered ineffective because punch 41 must follow downward movement of a gate section 269 and punch 42 will be aligned with opening 267. Thus it will be apparent that during movement of the card carriage 48, to the right, rear punch 42 (as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 7; front punch as viewed in FIG. 1), only is effective and during movement of said carriage to the left, front punch 41 (as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 7) only is effective. Thus, as the chart is advanced clockwise, eight stations from that shown in FIG. 4, punch 42 only is effective and then it is rendered ineffective, and, as the chart rotation cycle is completed, punch 41 only is effective. When punching is effected at stations A to H, inclusive, the card 50 will be punched at the areas A to H, inclusive, respectively, and when punching is effected at stations J to P, inclusive, the card will be punched at the areas I to P, inclusive, respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 3 and the diagrammatic view FIG. 6, it will be seen that the top of card carriage 48 is provided with a lever 271, pivotally mounted on a pin 273, which lever is adapted to be engaged by a lever 275 which is also hinged to the carriage 48 by pins 277. Lever 275 is aligned with the two tracks 279 of the carriage 48. These tracks are each provided with a groove 281 for receiving the card 50. When the card is forced into its proper or home position, the rear end thereof will have moved the lever 275 and consequently lever 271 counterclockwise. Such movement of lever 271 will cause movement to be imparted to an end of a Bowden wire contained in a sheath 283 through an ear 285 on lever 271. The opposite end of the wire actuates a gate 287 for controlling downward movement of pin 157 on rod 165. Gate 287 is provided with an inverted L-shaped opening, the horizontal leg or slot being indicated at 289 and the vertical leg or slot at 291. A spring 293 normally biases the gate 287 to the left as viewed in FIG. 6 whereby the pin 157 lies in the slot 2 8-9, and when an attempt is made to actuate the punch, the pin will engage the lower section 294 of the gate which section forms the lower edge of slot 289, and therefore the pin cannot be moved downwardly. However, when the card 50 is in its home position, the gate is in the position shown in FIG. 6, in which position, the pin 157 is aligned with slot 291 in the gate and therefore the rod can be moved downwardly by the punch actuating lever 149 to effect card punching operation. Thus, unless the card is in its home or proper position, the punching operation cannot be completed.

Further with respect 0t FIG. 6, the card 50 is in its home position. A pair of parallelly disposed levers, one of which is shown at 295, are pivotally mounted on a pin 296. These levers 295 are biased in a counterclockwise direction by a spring 297. The tops of levers 295 are in the form of piercing pins, one of which is shown at 299. The levers 295 are held in non-pin punching position by a bar 301 connected with a pair of levers, one of which is shown at 303. These levers 303 are pivotally mounted on a pin 305 and are connected by rod type links 307 with the rear section 309 of V-shaped lever 275. Therefore, when the card '50 is moved to its home position, moving the lever section 309 counter-clockwise pulling the levers 303 counterclockwise, the spring 297 will cause levers 295 to be moved counterclockwise whereby the pins 299 will enter into the card 50 and hold same in home position.

The card guides 52 and 54 (see FIG. 3) are the side walls of a chute 311, the bottom or floor being shown at 313 having two openings 315 aligned with and receive the pins 299, respectively, as shown in FIG. 18. The card is limited in its upward movement by a guide wall 317. Wall 317 is a section of a frame including a rear wall 319 and opposite side walls, one of which is shown at 321. A pin 323 is supported by these side walls 321 and carries a lever 325 which is connected by a rod type link 3.27 with levers 303. The top of lever 325 carries the words Ready to Vote. These words can be seen through a window 329 in cover 24.

A lever 331, pivotally mounted on pin 305 is provided with a bar 333, which engages the lower part of levers 295 to rock the latter clockwise whereby the pins 299 are withdrawn from the paper card 50 and then the card can be withdrawn from the card carriage 48. A spring 335 is attached to the frame and levers 303 and biases the levers clockwise when the lever 295 is moved away from bar 301, and the link 327 then rotates the levers 325 clockwise whereby the wording on the levers is hidden behind the cover 24.

Each of a series of indicators 60 (see FIG. 3) is horizontally slidably carried in upwardly facing and parallel grooves 337 in a strip 339 which is fastened to the top side 203' of sheet metal element 201. One end of each of the indicators (see FIG. 17) is angled as at 341 and lies in the path of movement of a finger 343 carried at the free end of punch actuating arm 149 and directly below the selector finger 38 whereby, when a card punching is effected, the indicator will be cammed outwardly. The other end of the indicator bears the letter X. This X will be visible through the window 75 (see FIG. 1) in the cover 24, indicating to the voter that he selected and voted a certain candidate. A hinged bar 345 (see 'FIG. 17) is carried by a pin 347, attached to the frame. This bar is swung to the left as viewed in FIG. 6- and engages the shoulders 349 on the indicators to return the indicators to an invisible position. This movement is imparted to the hinged bar 345 by a Bowden wire (see FIG. 6) contained in a sheet 351 and is actuated by a finger 353 on lever 331. Thus, when the lever 331 is actuated to release pins 299' from the card 50, all indicators 60 are returned to a position in which they cannot be seen through Window 75.

Referring now to FIG. 13, it will be seen that the front sheet metal wall 67 slidably carries a strip of sheet metal 357 which is adapted to engage the free end of lever 101 to move said lever 101 so that no part thereof touches the pins 92. This strip 357 is faced forwardly of the pins whereby when it is moved to the raised position, the drum 28 is free to rotate without moving the handle 30. The purpose of this is for the ready attachment and detachment of the chart through the drum.

Referring now to FIG. 2 wherein there is shown a latch 359 which is removably attached to the pins 92, this latch is adapted to engage a retractable stop 361 of a lock 373. When the latch 359 is in position and the stop 361 is moved to the position shown in 361, the rotation of the drum is limited. -In this manner only part of the col umns on the drum 28 can be used by rotor.

This stop 361 can be withdrawn so as to prevent the 10 free rotation of the film by the handle 30 through a key insertable within the slot 375 of the lock.

While the form of embodiment herein shown and described, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms may be adopted falling within the scope of the claims that follow.

I claim:

1. A recording machine for making a record on an idicia receiver, comprising in combination:

(A) a master chart element having indicia thereon;

(B) a selector element registrable with the indicia on the chart element;

(C) means for moving one of said elements relative to the other;

(D) an indicia receiver;

(E) recording means;

(F) a second recording means spaced in one direction from the first mentioned recording means;

(G) means for actuating the first mentioned recording means;

(H) means for actuating the second mentioned recording means;

(I) means responsive to the movement of said one element for imparting relative movement between both of the recording means and indicia receiver in a direction transversely t0 the first mentioned direction and for rendering means (G) ineffective and for rendering means (H) effective;

(J) a second means responsive to the movement of said one element for imparting relative movement between both of the recording means and the indicia receiver in a direction transverse to the first mentioned direction and for rendering means (H) ineffective and for rendering means (G) effective.

2. A recording machine as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the recording means each includes two punches and two dies.

3. A recording machine as defined in claim 1, characterized to include:

(K) a single actuator for actuating both means (G) and (H).

4. A recording machine as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the element moved by the means (C) is the chart element.

5. A recording machine as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the chart element is in the form of a drum.

6. A recording machine as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the element moved by the means (C) is the chart element and that the chart element is in the form of a drum.

7. A recording machine as defined in claim 1, characterized to include:

(K) and a gate actuated by means (C) for preventing effective operation of the recording means while the movable element is being moved.

8. A recording machine as defined in claim 1, characterized to include:

(K) a gate for preventing effective operation of the recording means;

(L) and means rendered operable by movement of the indicia receiver into proper indicia receiving relationship for rendering the gate ineffective.

9. A recording machine as defined in claim 1, characterized to include:

(K) a gate actuated by the means (C) for preventing effective operation of the recording means while the movable element is being moved;

(L) and means rendered operable by movement of the indicia receiver into proper indicia receiving relationship for rendering the gate ineffective.

10. A recording machine as defined in claim 7, characterized in that the chart element is in the form of a drum and is the element which is moved by the means (C).

11. A recording machine as defined in claim 8, characterized in that the chart element is in the form of a drum and is the element which is moved by the means (C).

12. A recording machine as defined in claim 9, characterized in that the chart element is in the form of a drum and is the element which is moved by the means (C).

13. A recording machine for making a record on an indicia receiver, comprising in combination:

(A) a master chart having indicia thereon;

(B) a selector registrable with the indicia on the chart;

(C) an indicia receiver;

(D) a recording means;

(E) means for actuating the recording means;

(F) a second recording means spaced in one direction from the first mentioned recording means;

(G) means for actuating the second mentioned recording means;

(H) means for moving the chart sequentially from station to station and for simultaneously moving the indicia receiver from station to station in a direction transverse to the first mentioned direction throughout a plurality of station to station movements of the chart and for moving the indicia receiver from station to station in a direction opposite the second mentioned direction throughout another plurality of station to station movements of the chart;

(I) and means responsive to movements of the chart moving means, throughout the first mentioned plurality of station to station movements, for rendering one of the recording means actuating means ineffective, and, responsive to movements of the chart moving means, throughout the second mentioned plurality of station to station movements, for rendering the other recording means actuating means ineffective.

14. A recording machine as defined in claim 13, characterized in that the last mentioned means (1) includes: (1) a shiftable gate having:

(a) a section movable into and out of motion translating relationship with the first mentioned recording means actuating means;

(b) a section movable into and out of motion translating relationship with the second mentioneld recording means actuating means;

(2) and means for shifting the gate.

15. A recording machine for making a record on an indicia receiver, comprising in combination:

(A) a master chart element having indicia thereon;

(B) a selector element registrable with the indicia on the chart element;

(C) means for moving One of said elements from station to station relative to the other;

(D) an indicia receiver;

(E) a recorder movable by the first mentioned means (C) from station to station along the indicia receiver;

(F) means for actuating the recorder;

(G) and a gate movable by the first mentioned means (C) to prevent eifective operation of the recorder actuating means while the movable element is being moved from station to station.

16. A recording machine as defined in claim 15, characterized in that the selector element is the element moved by the means (C).

17. A recording machine as defined in claim 15, characterized to include:

(H) a member movable with the movable element and movable with the means (F) for actuating the recorder, and further characterized in that the gate prevents effective movement of said member (H) while the movable element is being moved from station to station.

18. A recording machine as defined in claim 17, characterized in that the selector element is the element moved by the means (C).

19. A recording machine as defined in claim 17, characterized in that the gate is provided with openings each being alignable with a station for receiving said member (H) when the movable element is at a station, said gate having sections interposed between said openings, each section being non-aligned with the station while the movable element is being moved from station to station.

20. A recording machine for making a record on an indicia receiver, comprising in combination:

(A) a master chart element having indicia thereon;

(B) a selector element registrable with the indicia on the chart element:

(C) means for moving one of said elements from station to station relative to the other;

(D) an indicia receiver;

(E) a recorder movable by the first mentioned means (C) from station to station along the indicia receiver;

(F) means for actuating the recorder;

(G) a gate for preventing effective operation or" the recorder;

(H) and means rendered operable by movement of the indicia receiver into proper indicia receiving relationship for rendering the ate inefiective.

21. A recording machine as defined in claim 15, characterized to include:

(H) a second gate for preventing eitective operation of the recorder;

(I) and means rendered operable by movement of the indicia receiver into proper indicia receiving relationship for rendering the second gate inetTective.

22. A recording machine as defined in claim 20, characterized in that means (F) for actuating the recorder includes:

(1) a movable pin;

and further characterized in that the gate (G) includes:

(l) a section movable into and out of the path of movement of the pin.

23. A recording machine as defined in claim 20, characterized to include:

(I) means for fastening said indicia receiver in proper indicia receiving relation.

24. In a recording machine for making a record on an indicia receiver, in combination:

(A) a frame;

(B) a master chart in the form of a drum carried by the frame and adapted to be rotated sequentially in one direction from station to station;

(C) means for preventing movement of the drum while at a station;

(D) oscillatable means, which when moved in one direction, releases the first mentioned means and after retraction and movement again in said one direction progressively advances the drum from station to station;

(E) and an interlock for preventing retractive movement of the oscillatable means once an advancing movement has started until the movement from station to station is completed.

25. A combination as defined in claim 24, characterized in that the drum (A) includes:

(1) a plurality of pins disposed radially of the axis of the drum;

and further characterized in that the means for preventing movement of the drum while at a station includes:

(1) a pivotally mounted member adapted to engage one of the pins;

(2) means for yieldingly urging said member in a pin engaged position for preventing retractive movement tobe imparted to the drum, said member lying in the path of movement of the next adjacent pin and moved by said next adjacent pin when the drum is moved from one station to another;

(3) a second pivotally mounted member adapted to engage one of the pins for preventing retractive movement to be imparted to the drum;

(4) a third pivotally mounted member adapted to engage a pin for preventing advancing movement to be imparted to the drum;

and further characterized in that the oscillatable means (D) includes:

(1) means for moving the second and third mentioned member out of the path of movement of said pins.

26. In a recording machine for making a record in an indicia receiver, in combination:

(A) a frame;

(B) a master chart in the form of a drum, carried by the frame and adapted to be rotated sequentially in one direction from station to station, said drum including:

(1) a plurality of pins disposed radially of the axis of the drum;

(C) means for preventing movement of the drum while at a station, said means including:

(1) a pivotally mounted member adapted to engage one of the pins;

(2) means for yieldingly urging said member in a pin engaging position for preventing retraotive movement to be imparted to the drum, said member lying in the path of movement of the next adjacent pin and moved by said next ad- 25 jacent pin when the drum is moved from one station to another;

(3) a second pivotally mounted member adapted to engage one of the pins for preventing retractive movement to be imparted to the drum;

(4) a third pivotally mounted member adapted to engage a pin for preventing advancing movement to be imparted to the drum;

(5) means for yiel-dingly urging said second and third mentioned members in pin engaging positions for preventing retractive and advancing movements of the drum;

(D) oscillatable means which when moved in one direction, releases the first mentioned means and after retraction and movement again in said one direction progressively advances the drum from station to station said oscillatable means including:

(1) means for moving the second and third mentioned members out of the path of movement of the pins.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,114,447 4/1938 Keefe 83414 3,220,292 11/1965 Robak et al. 83-240 ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. A RECORDING MACHINE FOR MAKING A RECORD ON AN IDICIA RECEIVER, COMPRISING IN COMBINATIN: (A) A MASTER CHART ELEMENT HAVING INDICIA THEREON; (B) A SELECTOR ELEMENT REGISTRABLE WITH THE INDICIA ON THE CHART ELEMENT; (C) MEANS FOR MOVING ONE OF SAID ELEMENTS RELATIVE TO THE OTHER; (D) AN INDICIA RECEIVER; (E) RECORDING MEANS ; (F) A SECOND RECORDING MEANS SPACED IN ONE DIRECTION FROM THE FIRST MENTIONED RECORDING MEANS; (G) MEANS FOR ACTUATING THE FIRST MENTIONED RECORDING MEANS; (H) MEANS FOR ACTUATING THE SECOND MENTIONED RECORDING MEANS; (I) MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE MOVEMENT OF SAID ONE ELEMENT FOR IMPARTING RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN BOTH OF THE RECORDING MEANS AND INDICIA RECEIVER IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSELY TO THE FIRST MENTIONED DIRECTION AND FOR RENDERING MEANS (G) INEFFECTIVE AND FOR RENDERING MEANS (H) EFFECTIVE; (J) A SECOND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE MOVEMENT OF SAID ONE ELEMENT FOR IMPARTING RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN BOTH OF THE RECORDING MEANS AND THE INDICIA RECEIVER IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSE TO THE FIRST MENTIONED DIRECTION AND FOR RENDERING MEANS (H) INEFFECTIVE AND FOR RENDERING MEANS (G) EFFECTIVE. 